Homebrewing: Legalize it in Miss.

Mississippi's leaders like to talk about how the state must adopt a 21st century mentality if it is to grow and compete with other states in creating jobs, educating children and providing a great quality of life for its citizens.

They're right to take such an approach - on that should work its way down to even the seemingly smallest of matters.

Take homebrewing of beer. Mississippi is one of just two states that still ban the practice. It's time for the state to recast itself as No. 49.

Legalizing homebrewing in Mississippi is not only the right move but one that should have happened years ago. While the activity is illegal in Mississippi, state officials told The Clarion-Ledger last week that enforcing the ban is all but impossible, with just 20 state Department of Revenue agents theoretically charged to keep an eye on 3 million Mississippi residents, more than a few of whom would probably like to craft their own beer, if they're not doing it already.

And with state agencies still facing a short supply of revenue, it's needless to think cracking down on homebrewing is going to skyrocket up the Department of Revenue's priorities list.

In your neighborhood, what are you more likely to call your local law enforcement agency about: those guys making a racket next door trying to make their own beer or the house burglary, purse snatching or car accident you just witnessed? Which do you think those agencies are going to devote more of their time and resources to?

Department of Revenue spokeswoman Kathy Waterbury said the agency is focused more on public-safety issues like underage drinking, and rightfully so.

That said, responsibility must come with legalizing homebrewing. Someone hosting a party at their house to debut a new beverage plays essentially the same role a bartender does - serving people what they want but doing it in a responsible manner.

Just because homebrewing might make houses more popular gathering spots than the neighborhood bar doesn't mean there isn't an equally serious potential safety risk once those people leave.

Current and future homebrewers of Mississippi, if someone who's liberally perused your product staggers toward your front door, take their car keys and point them toward the nearest sofa. Or call a cab. Or designate a sober attendee to drive the inebriated home.

Homebrewing isn't illegal under federal law. Since 1978, the federal government has allowed two drinking-age adults in a household to make up to 200 gallons of beer per year, and a maximum of 100 gallons per year for one adult. It can't be sold but can be featured publicly at homebrewing competitions.

However, states are ultimately left with final say over allowing homebrewing under that law. Most have wisely opted to allow the practice.

Whether there's enough sentiment to legalize it in Mississippi remains to be seen, but the public's attitude toward use and consumption of alcohol seems to be evolving, at least locally.

After decades of votes against legalizing liquor sales in Rankin County, voters in the last three years have approved in separate referendums by-the-glass sales at restaurants in Flowood and in a specially designated economic-development district in Pearl.

State lawmakers this year approved a higher maximum alcohol content in beer sold in Mississippi.

People enjoy a glass of wine with a fancy dinner. Some like a stronger beer than what they can find now at their local convenience stores. Restaurants and bars like the free flow of cash that comes with more variety in the drinks they serve.

Flowood has already seen a number of restaurant openings since its law took effect. Pearl should see similar success.

While law enforcement must continue doing everything it can to stop drunken driving, underage drinking and public intoxication, the changing attitudes in Pearl and Flowood show the days of prohibition, and the mores that surrounded them, have further faded into history.

With so many other problems that need more immediate attention, government agencies no longer have the time or manpower to assemble teams like those Eliot Ness corralled to bust up stills and speakeasys.

Joining 48 other states in legalizing homebrewing also could help Mississippi rid itself of one more ridiculous stereotype - that of moonshiners crafting unseemly beverages in makeshift, backwoods breweries.

Times change. Society changes. Brewing beer has moved out of the backwoods.

Here's hoping we can all soon toast the legalization of homebrewing in Mississippi. Cheers.